Fremantle busker Matty the Blade, the famous sword swallower, juggler and mad pirate entertainer, who died earlier this week, will be honoured during this year’s Street Art Festival on the Easter long weekend. Plans for a mural are also on the way.

Matty held the world record when he swallowed 14 swords at the Fishing Boat Harbour some years ago, and was a regular performer in front of the Fremantle Markets on weekends.

It is disturbing to realise that even those who make us all laugh can suffer from depression and that we often hide behind a facade that does not show our despair and pain.

There is a small shrine for him at the markets and the Sail&Anchor will have a wake for Matty from 2 pm today. Dress up!

Hi FREO’S VIEW fans. Due to a WordPress problem not allowing me to upload new photos to this blog you are missing out on great sunset photos I took yesterday, photos of busker Matty the Blade, on photos of the rare sight of a submarine entering Freo port, and on photos of last night’s launch of the HEIRLOOM project to convert the former historic Dalgety&Co woolstores building into a stunning residential apartment complex.

It is very annoying I can’t share new photos with you, but need to wait till WordPress sorts it out, as it appears to be outside my control.

Anyone who has visited Fremantle on a weekend will know MATTY THE BLADE, the busker dressed up as a pirate performing in front of the Fremantle Markets. Sadly Matty is not with us any longer as he died earlier this week.

Matty held the world record in sword swallowing and is in the Guinness Book of Records for it. I witnessed it myself when he stuck a large number of swords all the way down in his stomach.

He was loud and mad and funny, and a real artist who knew his craft and he will be missed in Fremantle.

I heard and noticed REEF the Jazz and Latin busker for the first time yesterday as he braved the cold and wet Fremantle evening weather to play his keyboard and trumpet in Market Street and entertain the patrons of the restaurants there. It’s a great little one-man band and Reef can be hired for functions etc. Call him on 0428 428 470 and ‘LIKE’ ReefLiveMusic on Facebook.

While photographing the Troy Buswell disgrace at the neglected Warders Cottages in Fremantle‘s Henderson Street yesterday, I was also looking for something positive, as I prefer taking photos of beautiful moments.

I had not seen this old busker for quite some time. He used to be around quite a bit and I photographed him once before in Market Lane, and that photo was published in Experience Perth tourism brochures for many years.